Cholsey & Moulsford (Change for Wallingford)

[Nick Gough]

1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said:

The gas lamps at some GWR stations showed considerable variety for no apparent reason.  Possibly a result of replacement major parts, such as everything above the top of the lam post  but even that is difficult to explain.  

 

Anyway notwithstanding the variety I'm sorry to have to say  (from your situation) that I never saw any, or pictures of any, which looked exactly like the ones you've brought back across the pond.

 

Thanks Mike.

 

I'm going to have a go at making something of them though.

For the price I don't mind trying a bit of surgery. 

[Nick Gough]

Beyond the turnout, in the bay, I will have to fit a length of plain track leading up to the buffer stop:

 

Before I can cut the track to fit I need to determine the length and position of the buffer stop:

 

There are at least a couple of GWR kits on the market but, unfortunately, the websites don't give the dimensions so I will put this on hold for now.

[RJS1977]

Beware of course that what's in the bay now might not reflect what was there in the period of the model (any more than the rest of the station). 

 

I believe that the track into the bay platform was lifted at some point following the cessation of passenger services (though not immediately as I think it was used for the GWS specials in 1966). Following final closure of the branch in 1981, the CWRPS had to re-lay the track into the bay platform in order to serve the station, initially just as a single line.

 

The position of the run-round loop has also been changed. This was reinstalled somewhat more recently. The original plan was to have more space between the point and the buffer stop so that larger visiting locos like City of Truro could run round. However after the point was installed, it was realised that this limited the number of coaches that could fit in the loop, so after a period of a couple of years while the track gang remotivated themselves, it was relocated closer to the buffers (leaving enough room for an 08 or 0-6-0 tank - more usual motive power for the line) and the loop finally connected up.

[MrWolf]

2 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

Beyond the turnout, in the bay, I will have to fit a length of plain track leading up to the buffer stop:

 

Before I can cut the track to fit I need to determine the length and position of the buffer stop:

 

There are at least a couple of GWR kits on the market but, unfortunately, the websites don't give the dimensions so I will put this on hold for now.

 

This one:

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/buildings/mt244/

 

Measures 51mm along the bottom rail.

I have three on my layout.

[MrWolf]

3 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

 

Thanks Mike.

 

I'm going to have a go at making something of them though.

For the price I don't mind trying a bit of surgery. 

 

It's mostly the base of the column that is the problem, authenticity wise, as the GWR seems to have used some oddball lamps over time.

If you can replace that base which looks like it's from a modern faux gas lamp with the electrical gubbins in the base, with a much slimmer tube I think that painted up, they'll fool most people.

 

The wide section at the bottom is of course almost buried in the platform. Some GWR lamps were only about six feet to the top of the column if that helps?

 

GW Railwayana Auctions 

Edited September 28, 2022 by MrWolf

[Nick Gough]

4 hours ago, RJS1977 said:

Beware of course that what's in the bay now might not reflect what was there in the period of the model (any more than the rest of the station). 

 

I believe that the track into the bay platform was lifted at some point following the cessation of passenger services (though not immediately as I think it was used for the GWS specials in 1966). Following final closure of the branch in 1981, the CWRPS had to re-lay the track into the bay platform in order to serve the station, initially just as a single line.

 

The position of the run-round loop has also been changed. This was reinstalled somewhat more recently. The original plan was to have more space between the point and the buffer stop so that larger visiting locos like City of Truro could run round. However after the point was installed, it was realised that this limited the number of coaches that could fit in the loop, so after a period of a couple of years while the track gang remotivated themselves, it was relocated closer to the buffers (leaving enough room for an 08 or 0-6-0 tank - more usual motive power for the line) and the loop finally connected up.

 

Thanks Richard.

 

The bottom two photos in my last post were taken in 1986. At that time the bay was completely devoid of track though, oddly, the buffer stop hadn't been removed. It was still like that in 1992:

 

I assume that when the CWRPS relaid the track it would have been connected to the buffer stop in its existing position.

 

I take your point about the loop - I have taken my measurements from the station plan in Wild Swan's Wallingford branch book. Consequently I have measured 53' from the point blades to the beam of the buffer stop, and allowed for this distance on my model.

 

This allows plenty of room for a 48xx/14xx or an 0-6-0T:

 

Should even be enough for a large prairie:

 

But not a 2251 0-6-0:

(NB. the buffer stop in the photos is wrong but the beam is positioned in the right place)

 

This is interesting since the book shews that 2251 locos were used on the branch occasionally in the late 1950s. I guess they might have run into the up relief platform rather than the bay, then used the recently installed single slip, in that line, at the goods yard to run round.

 

 

[Nick Gough]

2 hours ago, MrWolf said:

 

This one:

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/buildings/mt244/

 

Measures 51mm along the bottom rail.

I have three on my layout.

 

2 hours ago, MrWolf said:

 

It's mostly the base of the column that is the problem, authenticity wise, as the GWR seems to have used some oddball lamps over time.

If you can replace that base which looks like it's from a modern faux gas lamp with the electrical gubbins in the base, with a much slimmer tube I think that painted up, they'll fool most people.

 

The wide section at the bottom is of course almost buried in the platform. Some GWR lamps were only about six feet to the top of the column if that helps?

 

GW Railwayana Auctions 

 

Thanks Rob. Those are both very helpful.

 

May I ask, please, what is the distance, on the buffer stop, between the buffer beam and the end of the bottom rail? I have measured the beam as being 12' from the end of the station building.

[MrWolf]

I've been able to get at the one on the headshunt with a 6" rule and hopefully this will answer your question. 

If you need any other dimensions, just shout up.

 

[Nick Gough]

40 minutes ago, MrWolf said:

I've been able to get at the one on the headshunt with a 6" rule and hopefully this will answer your question. 

If you need any other dimensions, just shout up.

 

 

Thanks for that Rob!

 

Nice drawing!

[Nick Gough]

On to the next turnout installation:

This is the down relief line at the Didcot end of the station. I had a temporary piece of plain track fitted here, not glued down.

 

It will be positioned on the bridge seen here in my 1992 photo:

 

The bridge is this one:

Which takes a private road under the railway to an adjacent farm.

 

This turnout will form half of a trailing crossover to the up relief line:

 

Although I thought I had cut the gap to size I will need to trim a little more off the rails:

 

Better that than having too big a gap I suppose!

[RJS1977]

1 hour ago, Nick Gough said:

 

It will be positioned on the bridge seen here in my 1992 photo:

 

The bridge is this one:

 

 

This photo illustrates my earlier comment about the C&WR having to relay the track into Platform 5 - indeed the lack of vegetation on the trackbed suggests this may have been in progress at the time.

 

Note the close proximity of the Up Relief - there is no room for a fence between the CWR and Network Rail tracks over the bridge. This section of track has been designated as "The Red Zone" and can only be worked on with permission from Network Rail - ideally when there is a possession on the Reliefs. There also are (or were) special instructions about what to do should a C&WR train derail here fouling the UR, and an emergency telephone in the CWR booking office used to connect directly to Reading Panel should such an emergency arise.

 

 

[RJS1977]

1 hour ago, Nick Gough said:

The bridge is this one:

Which takes a private road under the railway to an adjacent farm.

 

The owner of the adjacent farm owns a number of traction engines and Sentinel steam lorries which can often be seen attending events in and around the local area, including in support of the C&WR.

 

 

[checkrail]

 

 

 

 

I have one of the Mainly Trains buffer stop kits in front of me, complete with assembly instructions penned by the estimable Iain Rice.  Total length of rail is 65mm, but could be shortened. Like @MrWolfI get the length from front face of beam (assuming you use the "timber" one supplied) to the back end to be 51mm.  The Wizard site says it's a white metal item, but this one is a lost-wax brass casting.  When tracklaying some years ago I seem to have bought eight of these.  Don't know why - I only needed seven.  So if this one is of any use to you PM me an address to send it to and it's all yours.

 

John C.

[MrWolf]

The Wizard models item I posted a link to is the white metal item and I took the measurements from that.

[Nick Gough]

2 hours ago, checkrail said:

 

 

 

 

I have one of the Mainly Trains buffer stop kits in front of me, complete with assembly instructions penned by the estimable Iain Rice.  Total length of rail is 65mm, but could be shortened. Like @MrWolfI get the length from front face of beam (assuming you use the "timber" one supplied) to the back end to be 51mm.  The Wizard site says it's a white metal item, but this one is a lost-wax brass casting.  When tracklaying some years ago I seem to have bought eight of these.  Don't know why - I only needed seven.  So if this one is of any use to you PM me an address to send it to and it's all yours.

 

John C.

 

Thanks for your kind offer John.

I will PM you.

[Nick Gough]

With the rails trimmed to size, two holes drilled through the baseboard:

 

The large one, on the right, below the tiebar, to allow operation from below.

The small one, on the left, for the wire that Peco attach to the 'V' on the bullhead range to allow a 'live' feed:

 

Finally, the turnout glued in place:

 

With another section of temporary track removed, from the up relief line, ready for placing the next turnout.

[Nick Gough]

On 28/09/2022 at 12:37, RJS1977 said:

Beware of course that what's in the bay now might not reflect what was there in the period of the model (any more than the rest of the station). 

 

I believe that the track into the bay platform was lifted at some point following the cessation of passenger services (though not immediately as I think it was used for the GWS specials in 1966). Following final closure of the branch in 1981, the CWRPS had to re-lay the track into the bay platform in order to serve the station, initially just as a single line.

 

The position of the run-round loop has also been changed. This was reinstalled somewhat more recently. The original plan was to have more space between the point and the buffer stop so that larger visiting locos like City of Truro could run round. However after the point was installed, it was realised that this limited the number of coaches that could fit in the loop, so after a period of a couple of years while the track gang remotivated themselves, it was relocated closer to the buffers (leaving enough room for an 08 or 0-6-0 tank - more usual motive power for the line) and the loop finally connected up.

 

Looking at photos and videos, from the GWS event, 1466 definitely ran into the bay platform, although the loop had been removed by that time.

 

Also, if you look near the bottom of this page:

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/swindon-excl-to-reading.html

The track was still in the bay when BR ran the last (DMU) special passenger train before closure.

 

Presumably BR removed the bay platform line when they severed the branch connection to the up relief line?

[RJS1977]

That seems likely. South Oxfordshire District Council purchased much of the branch trackbed when the line closed and leased it to the C&WR, but this did not include the "red zone" at Cholsey, which remained with BR and was lifted.

[Nick Gough]

Yet another turnout glued in place:

 

This time in the up relief to complete the crossover:

 

I found this one a bit fiddly as I tried to position it, over the glue, with insulated rail joiners between the two turnouts. Peco recommend using 'N' gauge insulated joiners with bullhead OO. 

 

However, trying to negotiate the latest turnout into place, over the sleepers of the adjacent line, I could not get the (tiny) joiners into the right position to slide into place.

 

I gave up, removed the joiners, and aligned the connection as accurately as I could, leaving a small gap to prevent shorts:

It seems to be okay.

 

I have two more turnouts to place in the up relief here, either side of the crossover, but that will wait for another day!

[RJS1977]

The Walkers Crisps van is not entirely out of place. We have two brothers who drive for us on the C&WR who used to farm the land around Cholsey church. At one time, they grew potatoes for Walkers!

[Nick Gough]

7 minutes ago, RJS1977 said:

The Walkers Crisps van is not entirely out of place. We have two brothers who drive for us on the C&WR who used to farm the land around Cholsey church. At one time, they grew potatoes for Walkers!

 

That's hanging about because I wanted to check whether a van would fit the narrow roadside entrance to my goods shed.

 

Of course, what I didn't think of is it's probably not 1:76 scale anyway!

[RJS1977]

No, the Lledo van models are overscale (the buses are underscale!) - so if a Lledo van will fit in the road, a scale model of a van will.

[MrWolf]

Those Lledo vans were generally, though not always 1:64, some 1:50 and the buses were 1:100

[RJS1977]

14 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

I gave up, removed the joiners, and aligned the connection as accurately as I could, leaving a small gap to prevent shorts:

It seems to be okay.

 

I have two more turnouts to place in the up relief here, either side of the crossover, but that will wait for another day!

 

You might want to fill those gaps with Araldite, to prevent thermal expansion from closing them up.

 

[checkrail]

2 hours ago, RJS1977 said:

You might want to fill those gaps with Araldite, to prevent thermal expansion from closing them up.

Another way of doing this is to insert a tiny sliver of plastikard into the gap with a bit of glue, then when set slice it flush with the rail on top and sides.